Episode 498: My top performing posts in 2025 (and what they tell you)

Lessons From a Year of Social Content

I love doing a big review of my social media at the end of each year—what worked, what didn’t, and the lessons I can carry into the next year. Since it’s the end of 2025, I want to share what my best-performing posts have been this year and, importantly, what they teach us about using social media in a heart-centred business.

Let’s dive in!

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How I Review My Social Media (And Why I Don’t Micro-Analyse)

Before I dive into my top posts, I want to ask—do you ever review your own top and lowest performing posts? In my business, my fabulous assistant Didi pulls together the top 10 and bottom 3 Facebook posts each month. Facebook is my main platform, so that’s my focus for analysis.

I don’t check these every single month. If I did, I’d end up overanalysing, second-guessing myself, and maybe tweaking things that only needed a bit of patience. A quarterly or annual review is so much more useful. It’s where themes and patterns really reveal themselves.

Eight Post Types: What Performed Best in 2025

I want to walk you through the eight types of posts that landed in my top results for the year—and share what they can teach you about using social.

1. Yes Ladders: Sparingly Used, Always Winners

“Yes ladder” posts crush it for me. What are they? It’s any post where people need to comment ‘yes’ or ask to receive something (like a free resource, or webinar details). I use these sparingly—mainly for resources I’m about to launch, especially webinars. Example: “If you want the registration details when they’re ready, comment below.” Then I can DM responders.

You only get seven days to DM from a Facebook page after someone comments, so it keeps me on track. I only used the yes ladder 11 times in 2025, but those posts consistently show up in my top 10.

I know lots of people use bots (like ManyChat) on Instagram or Facebook to automate replies. Personally, I don’t use bots or autoresponders. I find it impersonal, and I love those one-on-one conversations. The volume is manageable (usually 30–50 people), and sometimes my team helps. Because I know so many of my audience personally, automating would make things weird and less authentic.

Here’s a story: I commented on someone’s post just to cheer them on, and I triggered a flurry of bot messages and promos—four separate DMs because I happened to use four “magic words.” It was NOT the resource post, just a thoughtful comment, but I still got spammed. So if you’re using those tools, watch your trigger words, and make sure people don’t get bombarded if they say the wrong thing! But for me, nothing replaces a genuine, manual DM.

2. Viral Reels: More Reach, Less Actual Business Growth

My second-highest performing type was viral reels. Some hit millions of views, but here’s the twist—they didn’t build my business. The most viral reels (shared from Instagram over to Facebook) gave me just six new followers from over a million views, and five of those weren’t my ideal client.

The reels that did help with audience growth? Ones about being ADHD and about planning/productivity. Out of 2.5 million views, maybe 20 to 30 new followers were actually business owners. So while they’re fun, I don’t prioritise reels for serious lead generation or engagement. If I was short on time, reels would be the first thing to drop from my creation list.

3. Personal Life Updates: People Want Connection

No big surprise—random life events or updates about me personally do really well. Social media is about real people connecting! I don’t recommend sharing every detail, but don’t underestimate how much your audience loves hearing what you’re up to, or what’s happening behind the scenes.

Whether it’s a win or a challenge, people love the human side—reflected in both my emails and podcasts as well. I get the most responses when I share what’s happening in my life or business (good or bad). I’m planning more positive updates for 2026 (I’ve had enough of the tough ones this year)!

4. My Obsession: Stationery Posts

Number four—posts about stationery! This tells me so much about my audience. They love the same stuff I do. Sometimes it’s just a photo of a new pencil case or my favourite pen (with a refill story). You might think this is trivial, but sharing little joys and treats builds real connection.

People love unboxings, product reviews, and hearing about the tools you use—whether it’s stationery or new apps on your phone. Sharing what you’re using and loving sparks big engagement. Recently, someone shared a tech tip in the Heart-Centred group and people were buzzing about learning something new for their phones!

5. Step-by-Steps and Simple Practical Advice

Step-by-step instructions or single actionable tips are number five for me. Practical advice always lands well—like “update your signature block,” “review your work with me page,” or “ask yourself these three questions before doing X.” My audience loves a little one-off actionable thing.

By contrast, inspirational quotes perform terribly. I still try them occasionally, but they just don’t resonate with my audience. Short and sweet practical advice is always a better use of my posting time!

6. Photos with Business Friends: Tagging Magic

Images with my business friends (especially when I tag them) always do well. Whether it’s in-person events, Sunshine Coast meetups, or group selfies—I try to snap a photo and tag people straight away. Next year, I’m going to get even better at this (and stop worrying about fancy reels!). If you meet me at an event, please remind me to take a selfie and tag you! You’re doing me a favour, and it grows both our audiences.

For online events, I plan to take more Zoom screenshots and share them directly. Group photos and tagging create more reach and strengthen your network, not just mine.

7. Behind-the-Scenes: Peeking Into My Business

My seventh top post type is “behind the scenes” in my business. People love getting a pervy (in a good way!) look at what goes on for me as a business owner. If we were catching up in real life, you’d hear these stories. So for 2026, I’m planning more posts and podcasts sharing what’s really happening behind the scenes—highly requested and highly engaging!

Want to dive deeper? You can click on the “behind the scenes” category to the right and find all my podcasts with that vibe.

8. Special Events and Offers: Value That Doesn’t Hurt Your Algorithm

The last top post type: my special event and special offer promos. Here’s what I’ve learned—I’ve made the algorithm my bestie. I’m consistent about sharing promos (including direct links), and because I do it regularly, I don’t get penalised by the algorithm. If people engage early, the reach stays strong—even if the post sends people off Facebook.

There’s no link-in-comments trickery or sacrificing long-term reach for a little spike. I’m here for the marathon, not a short-term boost. Over time, if you trick the algorithm for short bursts, you’ll only have to keep tricking it to maintain reach. I train mine to know my audience loves my useful, engaging, and promotional content!

So What Does This All Tell You? Social Media Is a 1%er—Don’t Overthink It!

Your social posts play a very small role in your overall lead generation and business growth. If you spend 80% of your day fussing over posts, you’re likely misallocating your energy. Focus on batch-creating optimised, imperfect posts, get them done, and move onto the strategies that do the 99% of heavy lifting (like email marketing, nurturing leads, and sales calls).

Consistent, ongoing content trumps “flash and crash” posting. Posting three times a day for two weeks, then disappearing for six weeks, will do more harm to your reach than including the occasional link. Get your posts out there so you can move on to strategies that really move your business forward.

The Three H’s: My Summary For Better Social Strategy

If I had to summarise what my top-performing posts teach, it’s all about the three Hs:

I’m here. I’m present on social (not every day, but consistently). When people comment, I reply. When someone says yes to a yes ladder, I send a DM. I’m truly here.

I’m human. I share selfies, professional shots, personal stories, dog updates, behind-the-scenes looks—both the wins and the challenges. My audience knows I’m a real person.

I’m helping. My posts are about helping—whether it’s business advice, practical tips, or simply sharing value. The helpful content I share amplifies my impact. If your socials give off that “I’m here, I’m human, I’m helping” energy, you’ll set yourself up for great engagement and reach, without burning out or getting stuck in perfectionism.

Remember—social is just one part of your business ecosystem. The stuff you post is a very small piece of what makes your business succeed. But showing up, being human, and helping gives you a powerful foundation.

Imperfect Post Project: Your Invitation

Want to put this into practice? If you’re reading before mid-January, you can join us as part of the Heart-Centred Business Planning System, and join us for IPP in Q1. I’ll also run it in the Accelerator later in the year, and you can access it as a recorded bonus inside my Take Off program.

The planning system gives you my 2026 planner, quarterly workshops, all my planning tools, and my Biz Planning Boss course (for CEO skills).

Join the Planning System at: tashcorbin.com/planner

Until next time, I cannot WAIT to see you SHINE.